Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : There has been an unprecedented surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country for the past few weeks. The health infrastructure of several States and UTs has been overwhelmed by the very high number of daily cases and increased mortality. The Government of India (GoI) is at the forefront of the fight against the COVID19 pandemic in collaboration with the States and UTs. The aim is to extend all support and assistance through various means and measures to strengthen their efforts during this critical phase.
Following the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the global community has extended a helping hand in supporting efforts of Government of India in this collective fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government of India has been receiving international donations of Covid-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since April 27, 2021, from different countries including United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Russia, UAE, USA, Taiwan, Kuwait, France, Thailand, Germany, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Italy, etc.
Cumulatively delivered from April 27, 2021, to May 4, 2021 – 1,764 Oxygen Concentrators; 1,760 Oxygen Cylinders; 7 Oxygen Generation Plants; 450 ventilators; more than 1.35 L Remdesivir vials; 1.20 L Favipiravir strips
Major items received on May 4, 2021 include:
- Oxygen Concentrators (1,274),
- Ventilators (101),
- Oxygen Cylinders (587),
- Oxygen generation units /Plants (2),
- Remdesivir (1,53,708),
- Medical Cabinet (33), and others.
All items received up to May 4, 2021, are allocated to the states/institutions and substantial part of it stands delivered. This is an ongoing exercise.
A streamlined and systematic mechanism for allocation of the support supplies received by the country has been put into place by Government of India for effective distribution of the medical and other relief and support material. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2, 2021. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from April 26, 2021.
All these relief medical supplies and equipment are being allocated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a timely manner to the 38 tertiary care institutions and 31 States, so far in the first tranche. This is done considering certain criteria like number of active cases, case fatality rate, positivity rate, need, etc. This will help supplement the medical infrastructure of these Institutions and 31 States/UTs, and strengthen their clinical management capacities for prompt and effective clinical management of the hospitalised COVID19 patients, according to a PIB release.
The cargo clearance and deliveries are facilitated without delay in coordination with agencies concerned. The deliveries and further installations, if required, are also being monitored by the Health Ministry on a regular basis.